Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee disability, including whether it arose during service or is otherwise related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a left knee disorder that is attributable to military service or his service-connected gunshot wound to the left buttocks and hip.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a supplemental statement of the case addressing the effective dates for his service-connected right knee disabilities, and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via videoconference.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee ligament laxity, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for left knee arthritis. The Veteran's current left knee arthritis is being considered as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was granted at a 10 percent level prior to April 26, 2011. A separate 20 percent rating was assigned for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee during this period.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at the minimum (10%) level since May 21, 2005. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a higher rating based on the current manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service left knee injury, symptoms, and/or diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed thoracic or lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left hand disorder are not related to service. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability and did not reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella, left knee. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disability secondary to the service-connected condition is also granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a left knee disorder during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current left knee chondromalaica was not caused by her right knee disability.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) to the right buttock. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee impairment (instability) and loss of use of the left hand have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs or protect himself from the hazards incident to his environment, and he is not housebound due to a service-connected disability. Therefore, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient records from the Perrin Air Force Base hospital and providing a new VA opinion regarding the left knee disability. The claims for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, sinusitis, skin disability, and hemorrhoids are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left total knee replacement is etiologically related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and potentially Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current right ankle disability and service.